Cameras at illegal Kerry dumps to catch culprits in the act

CAMERAS secretly placed at illegal dumping blackspots in Kerry are already catching culprits in the act.

Such dumping continues to be a problem in the leading tourism county, but the public is now more vigilant in reporting littered areas, according to Kerry County Council director of services Tom Sheehy.

Visible and invisible cameras were now in operation at different locations and had already recorded people dumping in one “notorious” area, he said.

They were actively monitoring a well-known dump site and a file will be forwarded to the county solicitor when sufficient evidence had been gathered to support a prosecution, Mr Sheehy said.

The maximum fine for offenders is €3,000 and the council planned to fully enforce the law, this year, he warned.

There had been a delay in introducing the cameras because of difficulties in sourcing suitable equipment, especially in relation to remote areas lacking a power supply and broadband coverage.

Last year 552 cases of littering offences and 31 cases of abandoned vehicles were investigated by the council. But there were only 12 successful prosecutions and 96 on-the-spot fines issued.

Litter wardens filter through waste in an effort to identify offenders, but the majority are careful not to leave any clues at illegal dump sites.

The cost to the council of cleaning a site is around €3,500. Mr Sheehy urged people to report offenders and to “police” their own areas to prevent littering.

South Kerry Independent Alliance councillor Michael Gleeson highlighted the success of the Adopt a Road scheme, piloted in the Glenflesk area, Killarney, and due to be extended to other roads this year.

He said people in the area operated a regular rota to ensure the road was kept litter-free throughout the year.

Children are also urged to become environmentally aware at an early stage. Over 90% of all secondary schools and 83% of all primary schools in Kerry are registered for the Green Flag project.